We asked some of the
top container manufacturers and suppliers about the trends in
containers for 2008, and here we share with you some of the hottest
looks. While they are a staple in a florist’s product arsenal for
floral design and gift baskets, containers have expanded their role
as gift items and home accent pieces in their own right. And some of
the same trends influencing floral design—the eco-friendly movement
and more natural materials and colors for the home—are evident in
this category as well.The natural theme is
strong, experts agree, and is being reflected not only in the
organic shapes of containers and the natural materials from which
they are formed but also, in some cases, by the motifs that appear
on the containers themselves. “Anything nature-inspired is hot, hot,
hot,” says Steven Rose, marketing coordinator for burton + BURTON.
“Containers with butterflies, ladybugs and birds have done very
well, and we expect this trend to continue.” colors/combosDavid Clark,
director of sales for Syndicate Sales, Inc., says many of the color
trends from 2007 will remain strong but that colors inspired by the
outdoors, such as greens, browns and wines, are strengthening. “As
the neutral tones emerge in the interior design market, the floral
industry will find complementary colors to make these naturals pop,”
he describes. And Margaret Hofland, marketing manager for Accent
Décor, Inc., explains, “There is no standalone color. It is all
about color combinations.”• Greens • Browns • Blue and green
with natural brown accents• Black and red with
metallic neutrals• Berry and wine
hues • Silver, on its own
and as an accent • White and gold• Black and white
• Bronze metallicsimaterialsWhile glassware
remains a top category, a newer twist is the addition of recycled
glass options. Other natural materials, such as wood, also are
finding favor. But containers are available in a wealth of finishes
to fit any application. And in some cases, production costs have
manufacturers embracing alternatives. For example, Hewley Helstone,
creative director for Jamali Garden Supplies, says the costs of some
metals, particularly those produced overseas, are climbing, so
lower-cost alternatives such as domestically produced iron are being
chosen in some cases.• Mercury glass
• Recycled glass
• Resin • Galvanized metal• Wood, bamboo
• Plastics• Ceramics,
combining glazed and unglazed finishes • Fabrics and
flexible plastics used as pot covers • Indoor/outdoor
finisheseforms/texturesVictoria Chester,
vice president of Vacuum Orna-Metal Company, Inc., says she’s seen
oversized containers and dramatic proportions, such as those
provided by containers on risers, taking off in the marketplace. And
modern geometric shapes continue to be favorites with consumers,
though traditional shapes still hold their own. • Architectural
shapes, sleek and clean• Geometrics:
cylinders, cubes, cuboids, etc.• “Tradition with a
twist,” where additional uses or textures are applied to familiar
container shapes • Container
“jewelry,” or elements that tie on or attach with magnets to enhance
the presentation • Small, single-stem
containers• Dramatic
proportions, such as containers elevated on risers• Oversized
containers Contact Amy Bauer at
abauer@floristsreview.com or (800) 367-4708.Syndicate Sales,
Inc.burton + BURTONVacuum Orna-Metal
Company, Inc.